In recent years, Antwerp’s Schipperskwartier has undergone urban transformation, shifting from its former association with sex work toward a mixed residential neighborhood. Affordable housing initiatives targeting diverse resident groups have supported this transition. The Oudemansstraat project by Woonwerk Architecten contributes to this evolving fabric by converting underused buildings into housing while strengthening the district’s residential character.
The intervention transforms two separate properties on Crauwelengang and Oudemansstraat. A former nightclub on Oudemansstraat has been repurposed into affordable housing, while the existing buildings on Crauwelengang have been adapted to accommodate three compact dwellings.
The new street-facing volume introduces a structured facade grid and refined detailing. At the rear, a slender steel structure frames the inner garden, creating a protected green space within the dense urban block.
Design approach
The transformation of Oudemansstraat is based on reuse, spatial adaptation, and continuity with the existing urban fabric. The sustainable strategy included extensive reuse of the existing structural framework, reducing waste and embodied carbon, along with selective demolition where spatial quality and environmental performance did not meet contemporary standards.
This approach was combined with energy-performance targets. The buildings were designed to meet Belgian EPB energy standards and approach Nearly Energy Neutral (BEN) performance through insulation, ventilation systems with heat recovery, and the integration of photovoltaic panels.
Social sustainability
The project addresses the transitional nature of the neighborhood by mediating between public and private realms. Sustainability extends beyond technical performance, with attention given to urban livability, outdoor spaces, social interaction, and long-term adaptability of the housing units. Rather than conventional ground-floor apartments, seven maisonette units are positioned with elevated individual entrances. These entrances maintain a visual connection with the street while improving privacy and security.
At the rear of the building, a raised terrace creates a transition between private living spaces and the shared inner garden. A double-height entrance on Oudemansstraat provides access to this communal outdoor area, strengthening social connectivity among residents.
Shared interior spaces are designed to encourage interaction and build community relationships. Circulation areas are more generous in scale, while an elevated passerelle functions as an informal meeting space linking upper-level apartments to the communal garden. Accessibility is integrated throughout the project, with shared spaces and upper-level dwellings adapted for residents with limited mobility, supporting inclusive living over time.
Construction and materials
Through selective demolition, large portions of the original structure were retained, including walls, floors, and facade openings. This approach reduces construction waste while preserving the embedded energy of the existing building. The ground floor was elevated using a solid timber structure composed of biobased materials with low or potentially negative carbon impact. Additional residential space is introduced through a lightweight rooftop extension constructed from cross-laminated timber (CLT), minimizing structural load while reducing environmental impact.
Facade upgrades combine high-performance insulation with brick cladding and FSC-certified timber frames. Operational energy demand is reduced through a collective heat pump system, low-temperature underfloor heating, mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, and photovoltaic panels.
The architectural expression responds to the surrounding urban fabric through a robust material palette and articulated facade composition. Brick cladding combined with a concrete plinth and lintels establishes continuity with neighboring buildings, while timber joinery introduces detail at the residential scale.
The facade layout reflects the internal arrangement of dwellings, expressing the building’s residential function. Individual entrance zones are defined through small staircases and timber entrance portals, reinforcing the identity of each unit. The stairways leading to the maisonettes function as semi-private thresholds where residents can engage with the street. On the interior side of the block, the dwellings maintain an informal relationship with the adjacent alleyway, reinforcing permeability within the urban environment.
Nature-inclusivity and climate-resilience
The project incorporates an elevated inner garden and green roofs that retain rainwater, which is stored in tanks and reused on site, reducing stormwater runoff and supporting microclimatic cooling.
The shared garden introduces a planted communal space within the dense block, supporting spatial quality and resident well-being. Plant species were selected to support urban ecology by providing habitats and food sources for birds, bees, and butterflies. The integration of green infrastructure supports environmental resilience and healthier living conditions for residents and local wildlife.
